Should Churches Use AI? Read This First

You’ve heard the buzz about AI, and you may have already used ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas, write content, or plan an event. If that’s the case, bravo! I’ll be the first to say that I am a big fan of using AI to speed up remedial tasks and make work look more polished. I use it often, and I believe it can be an incredible tool for ministry, creativity, and productivity.

But here’s an important disclaimer. We often ask, “How can I use AI?” when there is another question we should also be asking: “How should I not use AI?”

The Form Without the Power

Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool. It can write articles, create videos, design graphics, and even help with ministry planning. But like any tool, AI reflects the heart and intent of the one using it. Without prayer, discernment, and a genuine dependence on God, we risk producing content that looks polished but lacks spiritual life.

Paul warns in 2 Timothy 3:5 about those “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” This passage is incredibly convicting when it comes to the AI conversation. It tells us that we can create spiritual-looking work that has no eternal impact if we are not led by the Spirit.

With that in mind, here are a few places where church leaders should absolutely not be using AI.

When NOT to Use AI in Church Ministry

Christian communicator Ryan Miller shared a vision on his Instagram account that illustrates the danger of replacing the Spirit’s power with manufactured output. While praying, he pictured a truck driver hauling a junk truck full of cheap wooden crosses. The man turned toward him with a grin – the kind of smile that seemed to say, “I’m about to make a bunch of money off this stuff.” 

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The message was clear. It is possible to produce something that looks spiritual but is empty of real spiritual power. In the same way, AI can mass-produce ministry content that appears genuine but lacks the presence of the Spirit. And pastors and church leaders can be guilty of using AI to ‘speed up’ the Spirit and even make a financial profit.

So, if you want to safeguard the spiritual integrity of your ministry, avoid using AI for:

• Writing your personal prayers or devotional time
  Your time with God should be personal, raw, and Spirit-led. AI can suggest words, but it cannot feel your burdens, rejoice in your victories, or shape your heart the way prayer does.
• Delivering pastoral counsel without human discernment
  When someone comes to you for help with grief, addiction, or family struggles, they need a listening ear, a compassionate presence, and Spirit-led wisdom. AI might offer generic advice, but it cannot discern the deeper heart issues at play.
• Generating prophecies or “words from God”
  Scripture is clear that spiritual gifts like prophecy are given by the Holy Spirit, not by human creation. Relying on AI for this is dangerous; it could lead people to put their faith in something man-made rather than God Himself.
• Creating sermons without any personal study or prayer
  AI can summarize commentaries and suggest places to research historical context, but the weight and authority of preaching come from wrestling with Scripture yourself and listening for God’s voice. Skipping that step risks delivering something accurate but lifeless.
• Making decisions that require relational wisdom and empathy
  Whether it is choosing elders, navigating a church conflict, or discerning a ministry partnership, these decisions require prayer, fasting, and counsel from trusted believers. AI can analyze data, but it cannot read the room or sense the Spirit’s leading.

Should I Use AI to Create Spiritual Content or Sermons?

This is one of the biggest questions ministry leaders are asking right now, and answers are varied. My answer, for the most part, is no. AI can help with preparation, but it should never be the source of your message.

Preaching is not simply the transfer of information. It is the proclamation of truth that has first worked its way into the preacher’s own life. Paul told Timothy to “watch your life and doctrine closely” (1 Timothy 4:16) because the messenger and the message are inseparable. If your sermon only lives on the page and not in your heart, it will lack the Spirit’s power.

Here is how I think about it. AI can be a library assistant. It can help you find resources, summarize commentaries, or organize your thoughts. It can speed up research and help you see angles you might not have considered. But the work of seeking God’s heart, discerning His message for your church, and letting His Word transform you – that is your calling, and it cannot be outsourced.

If you are using AI, let it serve your study, not replace it. Sermons should be birthed in prayer, steeped in Scripture, and shaped by your own obedience to God’s leading.

Now that we’ve covered where we definitely should not use AI, let’s consider where church leaders can use this impressive tool.

Use AI to support, not replace, spiritual leadership.

How to Use AI to Support Church Operations and Creativity

Used wisely, AI can multiply your ministry’s impact and free you to spend more time on the things that matter. Here are some examples of where AI can be a powerful help:

• Brainstorming creative ideas for church event themes or ministry initiatives
• Summarizing research from commentaries or articles so you can quickly see key points before diving deeper yourself
• Creating graphics, slides, and templates for services or events, especially when you lack a dedicated design team
• Drafting administrative communications like meeting reminders, volunteer schedules, or event descriptions that you can then personalize
• Organizing meeting notes or so you can communicate more effectively
• Generating discussion questions for small groups or Bible studies, which you can then review and adjust for theological accuracy and tone
• Automating repetitive tasks such as transcribing meeting notes, summarizing email threads, or compiling sign-up lists

Think of AI here as an assistant who makes your work lighter, not a replacement for your voice or the Spirit’s guidance.

AI for the Modern Church Leader

AI is here to stay, and I am excited to keep using it in creative, Spirit-led ways. But technology is never a replacement for intimacy with God. Seek the Spirit first, and let every tool, including AI, serve Him rather than replace Him.

If you want to explore more practical ways to integrate AI into your ministry while staying grounded in biblical wisdom, check out our free resource: AI for the Modern Church Leader. This guide will walk you through how to introduce AI to your church staff and how to use tools ethically and effectively.

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